Gemotions

The banquet hall hummed with a low thrum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Amelia smoothed the crisp linen of her dress, a small smile playing on her lips. She felt a lightness within her, a buoyancy that made her almost float as she moved through the crowd. This was it, her mother’s big night, and she was poised at the podium. She breathed deeply, the air smelling of lilies and expensive perfume, a smell that always brought comfort. Looking out at the familiar faces, the aunts, uncles, cousins, she knew every one of them.

Her father winked at her from his seat, a gesture that caused a warm glow to spread through her chest. She had prepared a few anecdotes, nothing too embarrassing, just gentle reflections on her mother's career. She felt an impulse to just begin speaking.

The room's gentle lighting made her feel like this occasion was a warm embrace. It was the place she wanted to be, with these people. She knew her mother was nervous.